The Crew Make Progress in Manchester….

It was a long time coming…. Many many years to be exact! Although we were referring to the time from us buying the tickets back in October 2010 till now (and not the time we waited till the lads were back as a 5 – although fits perfick-ly for both!) However time ticked on and the day finally came. The day that we were going to see Rob, and the boys, together. And not just the boys being together but us being together too. Ya see, we became friends initially through the love of Robbie Williams & his music; found out that we were loving Take That just as much, and developed a fantastic friendship that has blossomed over the years. This, however, was the first time we had seen Rob on stage with many of the Crew being together… so as you can imagine we were a tad excited (think lady wee, but more about that later!!!)


Another Crew do came together, despite pricing problems with the hotel (which got sorted – thanks Mr Marriott!!) and ticket stress till the very end (which eventually got sorted – thanks Mr Ticketmaster!!) We always get there in the end…
The Weekend.
So here’s the deal. Shelley, Hayley and their friends Sue and Kay were travelling up from the Midlands. Myself and Angelaaaahhhhh were flying in from Cork after work. Louise was winging it from Wales (as usual) and there was a spare place available a couple of weeks before which the lovely Jac snapped up and made her way down on the chuff chuff from Glasgow. So 8 of us stopping at the hotel. Cary, Mand and the girls were joining us on Saturday morning. A plan that failed to come off was that Kriss was going to swap her Cardiff ticket for a Manchester one, stop at Cary’s and join the Crew – but it was not meant to be… sob sob… (or so I thought….!) Jonathan was going to join us on Saturday morning also and that was the group complete – 14 of us. Not forgetting Peppa Pig the team mascot.


As Ang & I were flying over in the evening, the rest of the girls met at the hotel, got the supplies in (thanks girls x) and went for some grub at the Printworks. Casually checking out the nekkid bike riders on the way back (as you do) – well anything is possible on a Crew Weekend. Our flight was on time, and my folks were outside the terminal ready to play taxi and drop us into Manchester.
We arrived at the hotel and asked reception for a key so we could let ourselves in… creeping up the corridors we quietly put the key in the door and threw it open! SURPRIIIISE!!! Lots of hugs and chatter, hellos to the new Crew members… nice to see you again to the long standing ones.


And – in the normal fashion we get catching up over a couple of bevvies. The mini bar is stocked full of Bulmers… only for us to realize that we don’t have a bottle opener. Call down to reception and not only do we get a knock on the door with a bottle opener- but a fine young man to open said bottles for us… well that’s the type of hotel it was. “Would it be too much trouble to get some ice, ice baby???!!!” No trouble at all, and quick as a flash he’s back with a bucket of ice. Sweet. We agree a curfew of 2am as of course we want to be up bright and early tomorrow morning. What do you think the chances are of us making it?


Lou puts on some choonage on her lappy and cue the dance moves. Never Forget in your PJs is always a winner!

Cocksucking cowboys are on the go, the new crew girls sample one… at first their arms have to be twisted but soon they’re into the spirit of it and 2 or 3 shots later they’re glad they sampled a bit of cock!


The drinks are flowing, there’s lots of laughs and naughty talk about the lads.


Singing at the top of our voices, however, is not so much a winner, and a call from reception reminds us that it’s getting late. Ooops – sorry team.


Casting our pervy eyes over the DVD we actually can’t believe ITS TOMORROW!!


As the girls head off to bed one by one, it’s just Lou, Jac, Ang and little old me left. We can’t get to sleep, we’re too excited! The 2am curfew has come and gone, and more like 3ish we get our heads down in the vain hope that we will get some rest and kip ready for tomorrow.


TODAY IT’S TODAY!! TODAY IS GIG DAY!!

Awake bright and early we get ready and head down for some brekkie. Ticketmaster agreed to drop the tickets to the hotel so we are waiting anxiously for the man to arrive with “THE ENVELOPE”. Breakfast is lush, esp as its free *wink* and we hear that Cary is en-route with a car full.


Mr Manager from Ticketmaster arrives at reception bang on time and I am so pleased to finally have the tickets in my grubby little paws! In addition, he has a box of wine and fizz for us by way of an apology for the messing. Why thank you, the Crew will accept with pleasure.


Next, we hear that Cary is outside! EEEEK!!! We run outside and wave to Mand and the girls in the back. Cary says they will follow us up and she’s off to park the car – hmmm she’s wanting us out of the way. Suppose she just wants to get in and get sorted. She hands over the t-shirts which have come out very well (if I do say so myself!) and we head back up to our rooms to get ready.


We’re getting changed into our t-shirts when there’s a knock at the door. It’s all quiet so I pop my head out of the bathroom and around the corner and I would cover your ears for the next bit as it went something like this:


“AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OH MY GOD!!! SQEEEEALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!” and cue lots of bouncing. Stood, at the door, is Kriss… who after telling us she couldn’t make it to Manchester plotted with Cary & Lou to get herself ooop Norf for the gig. Excited was not the word. Thanks girls for that great surprise!! *bounce bounce*


Getting a couple of messages from Jonathan, we realize that he is already in Manchester, and is early (for a change) so gathering all the bags and supplies we get our groove on and head across town. It’s a gorgeous sunny day in Manchester. We’re in great form as we head across to Piccadilly to find the bus that takes us to the stadium… but first, to find Jonathan.


His message says he’s outside Primark. First of all this causes me some confusing. Bear in mind I’ve lived in Oire-land for 12 years and am thinking what the foof is Primark… (it’s Penneys in Corcaigh – doh!) OK so the girls put me straight. Then comes confusion part two. There are two entrances to Primark and we’re stood outside the “main main” entrance at the front, not realizing that Jonathan is stood outside the “main” entrance around the side. Eventually we meet up and get told off for being late – erm makes a change for it not to be you LOVE!!

Then Jonathan decides he needs a new outfit for the day, as in his mad rush to make the early train he has put on a mismatch of clothes that can only be described as a disaster. Heading into Penneys (I mean Primark) he starts moseying around the store. Well hold on a minute, we need to up the tempo here a small bit. So armed with Louise they head off into the male section. Think Supermarket Sweep vs What Not To Wear mash-up and you will visualize what happened in the next few minutes. Tidy. Joining the queue, that is long even for this time of the morning, Jonathan looks a little bewildered, a tad scared and somewhat alarmed as 13 girls glare at him to get a bloody move on…!!
5 minutes later, a quick change in the changing rooms and he is ready to face the world. So we’re off! (Styled by Pap Pullen, outfit by Primarni... Peppa dressed in pink tutu!!)


Heading across Piccadilly Gardens we find the bus & jump on boardddd.... take a riiiide! As if we’re on a school trip and we are naughty school kids we head straight to the back (the back back its da best) and the camera is out nice and early for some shots. Seeing the stadium outside the window ten mins later we start to get a small bit giddy. Think lady wee. Yes again, I know. Sorry.
It’s now 10am & so the mission begins. We don’t have gates on our tickets so we find the end of the stadium near the stage (Production Entrance sign is always a winner!) and take a pew for what could be a very long time.


There are about 40 people in front of us and we set down camp for the day.

The Lovely Crew Laydees do Lancaster!

When we heard that JK as Robbie was going to be doing a show on May 27th, it was decided that we had to attend. The girls thought it would be a great way to celebrate my birthday! And of course, I agreed *snigger*

With the forthcoming Take That concerts, I knew I was gonna see more of the Crew in the not too distant future, but was delighted when Lou, Cary, Kriss, Anne and Marie said lets make a date! The lovely Anne-Claire was also due to join in the fun, but due to a bad case of the chicken pox that her little 'un had it was not to be. Sob!

Boarding the smallest plane in the world in Cork, (You make me feel, that I'm on the smallest plane in the worrrrrld - to the tune of Rihanna) I set off for Manchester where the lovely Cary had offered to pick me up and take me to meet Munchie for a bit of birthday brekkie... twas fab! Was also great to see Mandy even though it was a flying visit.

Cary and I have a scoot around Runcorn to collect a few supplies and laugh at a few shops - not before heading back to the car and onto the motorway oop norf!

We hear from Kriss who is in the goldmobile and has a full house on board!

Travelling up the M6, Cary and I have a good old sing song; lots of TT and Rob featuring and lots of laughs... and this is before the others arrive. We find the hotel with ease and check in. Staff are really friendly and we like this a lot! Fantastic.

Head down to the bar (just to be sociable) for a swift one before the others arrive... well at those prices it will be just 1 aswell!

Having a natter, we are keeping our eyes on the door and before we know it we spot the gold mobile pulling up outside! Woop Woop let the fun begin!

Lou, Kriss, Anne and Marie pile into the hotel and I get told off as I am there. I don't understand.... as they disappear around the corner I hear a lot of laughs and giggles... I'm not allowed to look... then I get told I can come around but have to close my eyes.

See what they did:

Cue a phone call to my BB Shelley and lots of Happy Birthday singing from the girls... awwww love you lot!

Heading up to the room to chill for a while, we crack a few drinks and order some room service. In between catching up, we get ourselves ready and order a 6 seater cab to take us to the theatre (darrrrrlink!) Peppa Pig is really enjoying herself too!

We order a spot of room service, a couple of bevvies to hit the spot. There are lots of cards and gifts and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed to say the least. Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts and lovely words in the cards...

So it’s nearly time, we head downstairs as the reception call us and inform us that our taxi is outside. Well it’s really a minibus, seeing as there’s 6 of us… as we hop into the bus, we glance to the right and we see Jim (a’la Rosie and Jim) running towards us and waving… Rosie and Jim stopping at the same hotel as us – how funny! Well best make sure we don’t take any chips back at supper time, wouldn’t want to get chiplash!! Anyhoo, Jim is gesturing to jump in our cab – obviously assuming that we are heading to the same place (we were but he wasn’t to know that… would’ve been funny if we had got him in the cab and taken him on some magical mystery tour to Preston LOL!)

Just as we are thinking what to answer, their taxi pulls up and they wave goodbye. Well goodbye for now, we would be seeing them a bit later…

The taxi driver has some great banter with us, he drops us off at the Grand. It’s an old style theatre, intimate and beautiful inside. Heading to the box office to collect our tickets, the girls head upstairs to the bar for a drink. I suggest to get the orders in for the interval to save time so we double up and head into the theatre.

We have a great view, mind you it would be hard not to have a good view from anywhere in that theatre. Settling down, we glance at our watches and realize that the show has not yet started even though its past 7.30… the theatre manager comes out with an announcement. A slight wardrobe malfunction has occurred; due to a traffic accident on the motorway and the wardrobe manager being stuck in said accident for 3 hours. All will become apparent shortly… We look at each other confused…

Having seen the show before, we knew what was coming next… or so we thought… The band start up, the lights go up… and on to the stage bounds JK – with a slightly different costume than normal. Ey’ Ey Captain!! Loving it!! We’re sailing on this ship tonight!

Although to be fair to him, he pulls it off and like the true pro he is gets stuck right into the show with a rousing rendition of Let Me Entertain You. Fantastic. The theatre is bouncing and as I look around, I know it’s going to be yet another fantastic night’s entertainment.

Moving through the set list, the Crew get busy busting some moves. Well that’s how we roll. Apologising to the ladies sat behind us, we are up, on our feet and doing the moves to every song. If you can’t beat em - join em… and glancing to the row behind us we see that the ladies are now on their feet and bouncing too! Love it!! JK moves through the Knebworth set with ease and we enjoy re-living the best of Robbie Williams. Rock DJ. Millennium. Come Undone. At the back of our minds, we are thinking about a couple of the Crew members who are at the opening night of the Progress tour that night in Sunderland, having their very own Robbie moment… but for now, we have the next best thing that is JK as Robbie. Talk about Supreme!!

True to form the first half flies by and we run to what is the smallest theatre bar in the world to nab our drinks. Super efficient, the staff already have the drinks prepared and all we need to do is collect them to save queuing up – job done!

Settling in for the second half, we know that there’s plenty more Robbie goodness to come. Swing time, and taken from the Albert Hall set, JK graces the stage with his band, in smart sharp suits and cool charisma to boot. Slowing the show down a little we sway to the classics of My Way & Mr Bojangles. Brilliant.

As the stage changes, the superb pianist goes solo at the front of the stage with a blast of Queen on the ivories… JK, complete with costume change, re-appears and starts talking to the audience. Lancaster has a big place in his heart, he says and the Grand Theatre in particular. He then engages the crowd by finding out where we have all come from, with the Crew (as usual) coming from far and wide to make the show…. Then this is where it gets embarrassing. A birthday shoutout to me along with telling the whole theatre it was my 40^th! Thanks JK! Revenge is sweet is all I am saying… ;)

However the sentiment was lovely and cue a few sniffles when “She’s the One” is dedicated to Scrumptious.

The 2^nd half of the show bounds on, with a lively version of Video Killed the Radio Star… it’s so lively that you can feel the balcony (circle) upstairs moving and shaking… JK as Robbie certainly made the ground move that’s for sure! Looking up to the boxes at either side of the stage, we see Jim on the right hand side – leaning out to snap a piccie – and worry for his safety as he looks like one of the hecklers from the Muppet Show ready to topple out and over the top of the box! Thankfully, he didn’t… Phew!

As the show draws to a close, JK brings the house down with Angels (it wasn’t too early to be fair…!) Bringing Robbie’s career up to date, we see the video clip of Take That with Eight Letters as a soundtrack, followed by a fantastic version of The Flood – and the Crew can’t help but get excited as we realize that in a weeks time we will be seeing Robbie and the boys. Another standing ovation at the end of the show, the cast get a well deserved cheer and huge applause and we give extra cheers to Mr JK as Robbie Williams for what was, yet again, an outstanding performance.

The theatre starts to empty as the lights come up, and with the word that it is lashing rain outside, we hang back till the crowds disperse. Having spotted a pub at the end of the road, we make a run for it and eventually arrive at the pub flipping soaked! Not before I end up going skidding down the road and ever-so-nearly end up on my arse! Thankfully I recover and just look like I've thrown some sort of weird shape outside in the rain... random like... Once inside, we bag ourselves a spot upstairs as downstairs was chocker block full – and get a whip going. Couple of rounds of drinks and the rain is forgotten. Lancaster being a University town, we attract the attention of some younger lads and laugh as they make a bee-line for us – erm excuse me lads this ain’t Cougar Town ya know!! The banter was good craic, however the full pint of Bulmers down us was not… oops! Shortly after they make a sharp exit and we get busy taking some snaps for the album… Kriss throws some baby’s dancing moves and lots of laughs follow. Mother and baby are reunited as Cary and Kriss take a pew on the edge of the sofa. Marie is giddy after deciding that she now wants to ditch hubby Michael Buble and now marry Frank Sinatra, who of course is dead! Anne and I are catching up after our last get together in Windsor and its smiles all round as per. Just another normal Crew night out!

We are then joined by Jonathan and Becky for a few cheeky birthday drinks… and not wanting to end the night early as the bar is closing, so we decide to move the party up to the Revolution bar for some more bevvies and a few vodkas. As you do, like…

 Walking for what seems like forever, we finally arrive at the Revolution.  There’s a table and sofas in the bay window – perfect – has our name written all over it. More drinks are purchased and we get busy having more craic… There’s plenty of banter and I come back from the bar with a round of drinks, only to find legs a-kimbo and Marie on the floor, with Kriss and Cary rolling around on the sofa! Yes it is as it sounds – very very funny! Becky heads over to try and lend a hand… Jonathan just comes over for a closer look! Typical bloke! Cue lots and lots of laughs from us and strange looks from those outside – bear in mind we were sat in the bay window on full view… In true Crew style we end up being the entertainment again… LOL!! Paparazzi Pullen manages to bag a few tidy shots for evidence, of course, and the LOL-ing starts again when we review the pics!

After being told several times that it was hone time by the bouncers (well it was past 3am!) we head up the road to get some chips as we are hank marvin; if not slightly concerned about taking them back to the hotel for fear of chiplash injuries… Bagging a couple of taxis and bidding our farewells to Jonathan & Becky, we head back to the hotel, motel, holiday inn for a debrief and the usual post night out post-mortem.

Flicking through the pics and revisiting the giggles from earlier in the evening, we get changed and get our heads down. It’s fairly late – for a change – and as I look around the room I see my friends snoozing, the empty bottles of vino, Peppa Pig, the cards & gifts and the usual trail of clothes, shoes and cases, I can’t help but smile at what was yet another craic-ing crew night out. The best friends in the world manage to wreak havoc on another UK town. No Pigs, Crew Laydees or members of the public were harmed during the making of this night out ;)

Next morning we’re all awake and not in bad shape considering. We agree the plan of attack is to check out and head over to the pub across the road for a mahoosive pub grub lunch. NOMS. Louise is busy drying and straightening her hair, and Cary dives into the shower. Cue steamy windows (well they are hot stuff) and as the bathroom door opens (complete with Cary half dressed with towel on her head) we hear the dulcet tones of the smoke alarm ringing in our ears. OUCH! Thinking that it will stop we decide to do nothing and stay put. The phone in the room goes, and Lou answers it – “are we alright?” “erm yes we are fine” replies Lou… “only the alarm is coming from your room…” WHAT THE FOOF BOARD!! Seems that the over-sensitive fire alarm was triggered by the heat and steam and as a result the whole hotel has to be evacuated. Oops. We trudge downstairs, half dressed, half PJs, and assemble in the car park. Looking across we see Rosie and Jim, and the words “broken biscuits” spring to mind in relation to Rosie. Bless her.

The staff give us the all clear to head back into the hotel, where we are greeted by the lovely chief fireman-person leaving our room with the comment “Good night, was it” being shouted down the corridor. We are not sure what he means, until we re-enter the room and realize there is a shed load of booze, empty bottles, cake and snacks on the desk! LOL – at least he had a sense of humour!

Checking out, we head across the road for a big feast. Lots of nom noms are heard around the table, and also laughs about the craic from the night before. Yet another Crew do comes to a close and as we finish our lunches we are down-hearted that this one seems to have gone too fast. The only thing that can cheer us up is the thought of making PROGRESS next week in Manchester! Woop Woop!

Such a shame though that Kriss couldn’t make it and that Anne is already booked in with Kriss to go to Wembley. Ah well, we make plans to see them at Stoke and as Anne, Marie, Lou and Kriss jump into the GoldMobile, Cary & I wave them off… not before heading back on to the motorway to head towards Liverpool Hairyport for my flight home.

When the PV Crew decided to Take That..... and Partyyyy!

Where do I start??
The 2 weeks before the gig were a little turbulent to say the least. Seetickets messed up the shipping of the tickets, the tshirts I got printed were wrong and I got made redundant! So as you can expect I was thinking is this ever going to happen and will it run smoothly?
Having to collect my Rob tickets for Roundhay Park from the Box Office meant that I wasn't in a great spot and I was hoping and "Pray"ing that it wouldnt be the case this time.
Getting ready to travel to London on Friday, I heard from Tinks that she had managed to secure a GA ticket too and was going to drive to and from London on the same day! Now thats dedication! So I pack up, with the reprinted t-shirts, pacamacs, sweets, plasters, wet wipes, nurofen... you get the picture! I was like a friggin Boots Chemist! All into my rucksack with the idea that I would be travelling light - pffft fat chance!

Head to the airport and sink a Pear Bulmers - yummmm! Plane leaves on time, lovely voddy en-route and then before I can catch my breath we are landing at Stansted. The Stansted "EXPRESS" was far from it and an hour and a half later I'm still on the train! Thankfully, Lou was already at the hotel, checked in with a little carpet picnic. Well when I say little I'm not actually telling the truth. (A bit like the Stansted Express LMAO!)
It was HUGE! 3 bottles of Rose Wine, Chipsticks, Bacon Fries, Sweets, Chocolate, Toblerone, Nuts.... Planned to be there just in time for Maxie on telly but alas was not meant to be.
Finally got to the hotel around 10.15 and checked in, straight up to the room and big hugs all round from Louise. I had also brought a few guests in my bag... as Debs was going to the gig with her pool team mates and Rena wasn't coming this time, I decided to bring them with us! So in my bag there were pics of them which we fed, watered, showered, took on the tube, to the pub and to the gig! They even made some new friends.... but more about that later!

So we got stuck into the picnic and Lou put the lads on the ipod - nice one Lou with the speakers!
We're proper in the mood now and are catching up, chatting over good old times and thinking about the new ones coming up tomorrow!
Around 2.30am we head to bed - well not before Louise and I get a fit of the giggles after brushing Debs teeth!!!

Next morning, we are up and at em around 7.30. Mooching around and chilling, we decide to get ready before heading for breakfast. When I say ready I mean put on the t-shirts! At breakfast we can see people trying to read them front and back and we are getting some funny looks and some sly smiles!
Update texts from the rest of the girls come thick and fast and we start getting excited.

Check in is 3pm, but after I smooth-talk the guy on Reception, he calls housekeeping and they get the girls room ready for 12! Meaning they can check in and freshen up before we head away. It's all coming together nicely...

My phone rings and I don't get to answer it in time because... I'm at the bar! Well it would be rude not to! I get back to the table and in walks Gemma and Sarah! Sarah is Gemmas mother in law but one cool dudette!
Introductions over, they take the weight off their feet and we sit and wait.... for PINESON!

We don't have to wait too long, about 10 minutes and in walks Paula, as bouncy as ever. We start the introductions again and the Crew are now 6. Well 8 if you include Rena and Debs!!!
So we down our drinks, get the girls checked in and they change into their tshirts. I was really pleased with how they came out in the end - panic averted!!

We head for the tube and we're on our way to Wembley.... Off at Wembley Park and it feels like we are home. Tinksy texts and lets us know she is not far, we are getting excited. Gemma and Sarah stop and look at the stadium, you can't help but smile when you see the place!
Down the road, after a few beeping cars and mad waving we head into the Sports Bar. We have not been in since Soccer Aid last September but its like we were never away! The old faces were there and some new ones too - Mo and Rickyyyy were laughing and after lots of hugs got the beers in. Louise asked for some vino to be chilled for later, courtesy of Den, and we find our seats. As usual we make friends with a few new peeps, a group of girls swap stories with us of how they are sooo excited and we do the same! They are happy to oblige when we ask for piccies and we get Rena and Debs in on the action!

A couple of drinks later, we decide to make like a banana and split. Ticket office beckons. Its not open till 4 allegedly and I am getting anxious about queuing. So Saz and I head to Wembley; Gemma, Sarah, Lou and Paula head to Maccy Ds to get some supplies. Oh and we pick up Mr Smirnoff on the way too - cheeky!!

Cary calls and we arrange to meet her at gate M - her ticket is for there which is cool as is Paulas. I'm hoping that ours is the same so we can all queue together. Its about 1.30 now and its warm and sunny. No pacamacs required! Woop woop!
As we walk up Wembley Way we see a familiar face at the top...its Cary! So more hugs and kisses...

I was under strict instructions from Rena to give Tinks a big snog (no tongues mind!) and we set off for the ticket office to chance me arm and try and get the tickets a wee bit earlier.
At the ticket office, the guy is happy to oblige and we introduce him to Rena and Debs. He wonders WTF we are on but it all becomes clear once we explain! After handing us the tickets he wishes us a good day. And we know its just going to be the Greatest....We head for the ramp to start queuing... but we have to queue at the opposite gate to Cary and Paula
I head over to one of the stewards - Sean - who tells me we do need to go to gate G. I explain the mix up with our tickets and that we dont want to get split up - that we have come from all over England, Wales and Ireland. Turns out he has family in Cork and has lived in Leeds so we start the charm offensive on him and soon he is won over!
In the queue we get chatting to some mother and daughter friends who are looking forward to seeing the lads too. The queue for the loo outside the stadium is unreal - Pervy Paula is queuing for so long and getting very borderline for needing the tenas (literally) that when she eventually gets in the loo, she gets a big cheer and clap from all the other girls

Back at the ramp, all the girls are back and we crack open the Pink Champagne that Saz & I have gotten for Pervys Birthday! Louise remembers the cups and we pass the drink around, including to our new mates Claire and her mum! By return they dish out Rose' Wine and Pimms - and again the Birthday Girl gets some of her fave tipple!!!
Its getting close to 4pm and the stewards start getting us on our feet. We are all getting giddy and even though that Cary and Louise have both seen the show already they are worse than us lot!!

We get the OK to enter the stadium, OMG - this is gonna be good!! "Dont run!" shout the stewards... pfft as if we think so with a very fast WALK we head inside. OMG we are heading in near the stage... OMG theres room at the front... and so we manage to bag a fine spot on the front row right in front of the left hand side stage!!

With bowlers hats and red noses, we start to get to know the stewards on the front row and they get into the spirit of things especially when they tell us they're from LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS!!
Paula and Gemma head for beers, Cary starts snapping and me and Lou get to work on the banner. The stewards once again are happy to help when we fix the banner on the front of the barrier and we are getting excited at the anticipation of what is to come later that evening. As we look around the stadium is starting to fill behind us. The sea of people that are on the pitch is making the stadium swell and the seats around and above us are slowly filling up.

It's nearly time for the 1st support - Gary Go. Not bad he is, can certainly play and with a few catchy tunes. Gemma says that its very apt that hes called Gary Gay - what a faux pax!!
Next its Lady GaGa... well all I can say is I wish we had The Script or James Morrison... What a load of cack.
She looked crazy, she spoke a load of twaddle and when she sang... sorry mimed.... pffft!
I mean when you can hear the artist singing but you look and they are not at the mic and not moving their lips you know that are using playback & miming. Considering she didnt even show up for the 2 shows last weekend I would have hated to be a fan of hers as it would've left me feeling so let down. Total lack of respect for her fans. I could have easy poked her face I can tell you
After that, we were getting excitererated!

We called Debs and found out she was sat above us to the left, frantic waving occured (what occuring!!???) and Lou even managed to snap her in the crowd! Priceless!!
The stewards were asking us about the PV Crew and other general chit chat, we handed out haribo and then had friends for life!! They even took piccies for us with the banner and not once were we waiting for water as it was such a humid day. They dished it out no bother and kept checking that we were ok...
From our vantage point we could see behind the main stage and a load of Cloud Clowns were milling around with balloons. Lou and Saz waved and they waved back!
Next they made their way into the crowd and you knew it was nearly time... The pulley started to make its way, being wound slowly, up the BStage and everyone waited with baited breath... The hot air balloon was met with 100s of colourful balloons... they were raised into the air... the lads appeared... and the Greatest Day just got a whole lot better for the Crew!! Cue bouncing!!The set list was unknown to us all - cept for Lou and Cary. They did a fab job of not letting any surprises out of the bag! Which was just fantastic as we didnt know what came next... Lots of dancing, swaying, a few tears and lots of laughs whilst the lads got stuck into:
Greatest Day :Superb opening, very fitting!
Hello: Love this song so kept me smiling!
Could It Be Magic: After the Barry Manilow version at the last concert I wasn't expecting to hear this... but so glad I did!
Pray: One of my old faves, esp the dance moves like the old days!
Million Love Songs: Gary at his crooning best! A few tears from Gemma!
Back For Good: They certainly were...and the rain came down on the BStage!
The Garden: Mark gave it socks on this one - loved it! So did Tinks - bless her xx
Shine: Another faultless performance from Mark - makes me think of Morrisons thou!
Up All Night: All the girls bouncing for this one
Wooden Boat : Jason did a fab job... loved him on this track on the last tour, he seemed to have grown into this song since then!
How Did It Come To This: Belting performance from Jason
The Circus: Clown time
What Is Love: Not one of my faves off the album but omg it got me right there live... totally blew me away. Howard - legend.
Medley: Do What You Like, Promises, It Only Takes A Minute, Take That And PartyIf youre going to do a medley, why not make it your own?!?! Classic tunes, classic moves, pure class
Said It All: At this point I was just in awe... all the girls were!
Never Forget: We wont!
Patience: Gary said this was their comeback song... for some of us they were never away!
Relight My Fire: Plenty of flames fanned at this point - hot hot hot!
Hold Up A Light: Spinning lights that formed the TT logo when spun fast, the cast whipped up a frenzy with this one
Rule The World: The final song. What an ending. There were a few tears all round, it was just amazing and they certainly did Rule our World that night!
Thrown in for good measure was Gary... with only a piano and a few classics of Love aint Here Any More, Babe and Nobody Else... cue lots of

At the end it was mentioned that Mark said he would "like to thank the Crew...."
Mark - the pleasure was all ours!

So the gig finishes and we head up Wembley way... 86000 people and we meet DEBS!! What a classic PV moment!
Gemma is felling a bit poorly due to her cold so her and Sarah say they are getting off. Saz decides to join them - well its been quite a night. Cary gives more hugs and kisses and heads back to her car - shame she couldnt come and play but it was blardy FAB to see her!!
So me, Paula and Lou decide to be hardcore and head back to the Sports Bar.
They crack open the chilled vino for us and we get stuck in
The lads in the Bar ask if we were on the tellllly again.... well we tell them we dont know but we were at the front with a new banner. Trust you... they say!!!

Heading for the last tube at 0.25 we walk with a heavy heart and tired feet over to the tube. The steward tells us that the last southbound tube has gone - of course you can guess where we were going....!!

Sooo - we ask about the bus and jump on the 83 to Golders Green, like we know where we are going...
We dont!! So we ask the bus driver - his reply is that he doesnt know either!
God we are fudged if the driver doesnt know where hes going

One of the ladies who was working at Wembley tells us we need to get the night bus at the last stop - cool, thanks lady. We get chatting to this guy in a Tux on the bus. He's Neil and he is just returning from his mates wedding...
He thinks we are funny as we snap piccies at the back of the bus...
So the bus gets to the end of the road and we hop off, and on to the night bus. Cept the night bus is empty, closed and has no driver.
Whoopsie.
Neil asks us where we are going, we tell him and he lives just around the corner. We tell him we dont know around the corner, in fact we dont know where we are but he gladly flags us a taxi down and directs the taxi driver. We tell him to hop in (3 of us, 1 of him, we'll ave 'im if he starts!) and the taxi driver is loving our tales of the concert!
So we stop outside the takeaway at the end of the road near our hotel. Neil hops out and hands over the cash for the taxi, we pay half as its only fair and he hustles Paulas bowler hat as it suits him! LMAO!!
We head into the chipper for food, Neil waves bye and its Chicken Wraps and Chips all round. Back at the hotel, we decide to have one for the road in the bar before we hit the hay... talking about the fun we had and what a gig it was... A few guys in the bar overhear and they ask us where we have been. Turns out they were working up the road that night at a venue where James Morrison was playing.. they were doing his lights. That kinda explains why we were stuck with Lady GAGA....

Finishing our drinks and chips its 3am and we call it a day... the Greatest Day...!!